ASU, USPS work to convert Phoenix post office
BY DULCE VALADEZ
Arizona State University is currently collaborating with the U.S. Postal Service on a new project that will begin in the summer for the creation of a multi-purpose facility for students to use.
“The development of the downtown campus has been a joint project with the university and the City of Phoenix,” Anne Gazzaniga of the Office of the University Planner said in an e-mail.
ASU Administrative Associate Nellie Andrade said the post office will be refitted to contain classrooms and retail and gathering spaces. The building, located at downtown located near Central Avenue and Van Buren Street, will continue to function as a post office.
“The current plan for the post office is to open up the first floor to the Civic Space and create a variety of spaces that could be used by both the public and the university,” Gazzaniga said.
ASU is currently working on a budget for the remodeling of the post office; working with $2 million for the first phase of remodeling. Currently, the first phase is the only part of the plan in negotiations, other phases will be discussed later in the future.
The City of Phoenix is in charge of organizing the improvements or changes of the facility. ASU is also cooperating with the design of the space the ASU architect is working along with the City of Phoenix to develop ASU’s conceptual space and their plan.
“The building is envisioned to interact with the new Civic Space park to provide additional gathering and student activity spaces in addition to classrooms and future retail,” Andrade said.
